Richard Leo Dillon

Richard L. Dillon 70, of Paynesville, died Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at his home in rural Paynesville.  A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:30 am on Thursday, July 22, 2021, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville and will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC_M2Qp3Nts .  Please RSVP to Amy Bast at 320-282-5104.  Services are entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville. 

Richard Leo Dillon was born on September 3, 1950, in Fargo, ND, the son of Frank and Cyrilla (Lieser) Dillon.  He grew up in the Minneapolis area where he graduated from Benilde High School in St. Louis Park with the Class of 1968.  After high school, Dick continued his education at the University of Minnesota.  During college, Dick joined the Peace Corps where he served with them in Ecuador and the Fiji Islands.  He returned to Minnesota in 1982, where he went back to college and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Photo Journalism.  Dick then moved to Paynesville where he worked with his family at Cyrilla Beach Homes.  He eventually took ownership of the business where he worked until his retirement in 2004. 

Dick enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially pheasant hunting at the Owl Creek Ranch in Ideal, SD, which he owned with dear friends.  Dick was a member of the Green Roof Center and served on the board of directors there.  He was an avid supporter of Ducks Unlimited and of the Paynesville Community.  Dick will be remembered as a proud Irishman that loved a good joke and told a great story.  He along with his family left a legacy in Paynesville that will always be remembered. 

Richard is survived by his sisters:  Mary (Rob) deRonnebeck of Lakeville, Jeanne Harding of Wayzata, and Ruth (Pete) Hullett of Maple Grove; three nieces; three nephews; beloved friends and caretakers, Amy Bast and Tracy “Millie” Miller; and many cousins and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Cyrilla. 

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